hey every one ,

Im ready (finally) to put the final 3-4 layers of finish on the bamboo rod im redoing, Ive decided on fabricating a dip tank an dipping of course.

Im making the tank out of aluminum conduit and will attach a heater/thermostat to the tube to keep varnish at a steady temp. I have enough height in my basement to do rod. I will vacuum every thing I can and then wet things down in the area to keep the dust down. a few questions:

1) I know Russ uses Varathane 900 on wraps but what does he dip in? Varathane 900 I think would be fine as a overall finish?

2) what is a good retrieval time for the rod ? inches per min.

3) seeing I may not do a bamboo rod again for quite some time is it feasible to retract the rod out of the tube by hand or do I need to take the time to rig a constant speed motor up.

Thanks in advance Happy Wrapping "John"

For varnish I like McClosky's Marine Spar myself. For speed of withdrawal, about 4" per minute is a good speed and if you're dipping with the guides already wrapped, it's a good idea to stop for 60 seconds on the wrap right under the guide to let excess varnish pull off into the dip tube.

The volume 4 issue 5 RodMaker has all the details on dip finishing - from Russ himself!

In the meantime, 2 to 4 inches per minute seems to be the ideal withdrawal speed, although this really depends upon the thickness of your finish. Too fast and you'll get runs, too slow and you get a very thick finish. I believe that Russ falls right in the middle at about 3 inches per minute.

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After dipping aprox 10-12 rods with various materials, I prefer Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane / Satin Finish thinned 2 parts urethane and 1 part mineral spirits. Speeds listed above are perfect, but pause after you extract each guide to pet off the excess from the wire. An old fly reel mounted to the table top makes a great crank.

My finish is thinned 50/50, Spar Marine varnish on restorations, and Spar urethane on new bamboo. i have done about 60 rods this year and I just pull rod out and stop at each guide and blow the varnish out and keep pulling til next guide.. With my varnish being this thin I dont get any runs.. Thanks Davesrods

many thanks guys ill be dipping in a week or so .

Dave by the way is Hal Bacon up and running full tilt with fisher yet ?.

I looked at your site, are the blanks you have listed old fisher or new stock since Hals been driving ? Last I knew he was looking for property to set up shop. Ill be looking for a 10 ft 9wt 3pc if hes going to make somthing that big keep us posted,

Happy wrapping thanks again "John"

I talked to Hal Thursday and they may have land in Montana.. The Fisher Blanks I have and from the early 90s, they are new old stock.. Hal says they will be rolling the same blanks and they will also have some new models.. I do have some 9'6" and some 10 footers comeing.. Thanks Davesrods